CoAction delivers meals, produce and support to seniors across Northwest Indiana

September is recognized nationwide as Hunger Action Month. To mark the occasion, CoAction is proud to lead the fight against food insecurity and reduce isolation for older adults across Northwest Indiana. The Senior Nutrition Program combines meal services with nutrition education and counseling to promote good health and independence across Lake, Porter, Newton, Jasper, Pulaski, and Starke counties.

“CoAction’s mission is to envision the people of Northwest Indiana flourishing regardless of income, ability, or age. We want to help people experiencing financial hardship find opportunities, resources, and respect at CoAction. We care about everybody, we keep our commitments, we believe people act with positive intentions, and we are committed to helping others succeed,” said Community Supports Supervisor Alysha Rechlicz.

Since the start of the calendar year, CoAction has provided 67,870 congregate meals and 96,665 home-delivered meals. Participants ages 60 and older typically receive one meal per day, five days a week. The agency partners with 18 congregate meal sites throughout the Region, including six in Lake County, two in Porter County, two in Jasper County, four in Newton County, two in Starke County, and two in Pulaski County.

“We have seen an increase in people wanting to participate in the program because of the need,” Rechlicz said. “People do not have access to fresh fruit and vegetables. They do not have the financial means to purchase, and transportation is often a significant barrier. This program allows those people to be able to access freshness versus a food pantry.” 

CoAction surveys show 91% of participants believe the meals provide enough healthy food, and 90% say attending meal sites helps reduce loneliness. These outcomes highlight the impact of combining nutrition with social connection.

“The meals are nutritionally balanced according to the guidelines that we abide by,” said Community Supports Coordinator Katie Barrett. “Some people have really come to depend on the delivery of these meals and our boxes. In some cases, this is their only hot meal of the day. We get reports of people gaining weight where they need to gain weight or losing weight because they’re not eating a bag of potato chips—they’re actually eating a nutritious meal.”

Partnerships are integral to CoAction’s work. The agency collaborates with Meals on Wheels, the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, the Food Council of Northwest Indiana and its Region Roots program, Mom’s Meals, and all 18 congregate meal sites to provide consistent service. The congregate meal program is funded through the Older Americans Act, supporting nutritious meals across the Region. Volunteers from the Food Bank also help pack produce boxes for the Produce for Better Health program. The program currently comprises 557 active participants, and CoAction hopes to continue making this possible for many years to come.

“The partnerships are really a matter of being aware of these organizations and initiating a conversation,” Rechlicz said. “We all have similar missions, which is to serve the community. We all feel very fortunate that we have positive relationships with our current partners and that everybody works cohesively together.” 

The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) adds another layer of support. From June to September, the program provides one-time $50 produce benefits funded by the Indiana Department of Health. As of September 17, there are 517 seniors across the six service counties who have received vouchers, with additional distribution continuing through the end of the month. 

“Our partnership with Region Roots has enabled us to do pop-up farmers markets at some of our high-rise buildings in Gary to eliminate that transportation barrier,” Barrett said. “We also did a pilot initiative, the Senior eFMNP Pre-Order Produce Boxes, where people could pick their pickup site, including congregate locations in rural counties. Region Roots extends the program into areas without participating farmers, making them the first Co-Op in the state to do this.”

Barrett creates the weekly menus for CoAction’s produce boxes, balancing variety with shelf life to meet seniors’ needs. Seasonal availability guides much of the selection, with fresh items paired alongside longer-lasting produce such as carrots, apples, and oranges. To sustain these efforts, CoAction relies on grant funding and the strong community partnerships to ensure that as demand grows, seniors continue to have reliable access to nutritious meals and fresh produce. 

“My role in these programs allows me to see firsthand the start, finish, and in between, and the impact it has on people’s lives,” Barrett said. “From monthly reports to talking with people, I can see their overall attitude and outlook. With the Produce for Better Health program, I was given an idea, and it turned into a great success. Seeing seniors receive their produce boxes and the change in their mental attitudes and spiritual upbeatness is the most rewarding part of my work.”

CoAction’s Senior Nutrition Program illustrates ideas being put into action. From congregate and home-delivered meals to Produce for Better Health, these initiatives unite to provide seniors with nutritious food, social connection, and improved well-being.

“Some of our core values are just that we care about everybody,” Rechlicz said. “We keep our commitment. We act with positive intent, and we’re committed to helping others succeed.”

For more information about volunteer opportunities or educational resources, visit coaction.care/nutrition-for-seniors.